ALL BALL NERVE CENTER — This is supposed to be the dawn of a new era in Toronto, where the Raptors have a new executive running things (Tim Leiweke), a new general manager (Masai Ujiri), and a new “global ambassador” in place (Drake). This new brain trust is going to try and turn things around, to help the Raptors organization improve from their recent struggles. But alas, one key member of the Raptors organization will apparently have to sit this season out.

According to a report in the TorontoStar, the Raptors mascot, known simply as The Raptor, is out for the season after suffering a torn achilles tendon during a Raptors training camp appearance in Halifax. The organization confirmed the bad news via Twitter…

Wishing @the_raptor a speedy recovery after his injury. Can't wait to see the best in the business back on court. #Raptors#RTZ

“I called him, I talked to him Friday night,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said during his postgame remarks last night. “I was disappointed. My daughter cried, you know, she was upset. He’s a good man. He’ll bounce back. He’s in good hands with the physicians. The Raptor will be back, he will be back. We need his spirit.

I’ll pay just to watch the mascots wrestle… The NBA is totally a joke… 25 teams should be named the Washington Generals and then there’s Miami, Los Angeles, and the other 5 teams that everyone is trending on twitter…